Saudi Arabia has vowed to firmly retaliate against a strike on Riyadh's main international airport that left at least 12 people dead and hundreds wounded, drawing strong international condemnation. The Saudi-led military coalition pointed the finger at Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement for the weekend attack on King Khalid International Airport, categorizing the assault as a full-fledged war crime.
The strike killed four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis, and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. Civil aviation authorities reported that at least 309 others sustained injuries, some critical, making it the deadliest incident inside the kingdom in more than a decade.
Following the incident, the Houthis renewed their warnings to airlines, staff, and passengers to steer clear of Saudi airports and airspace, asserting that the kingdom bears responsibility for failed interception attempts. The attack triggered widespread flight cancellations, operational suspensions, and the shift of schools in Riyadh to remote learning for a week.
The violence marks a significant escalation in hostilities following the collapse of a UN-brokered ceasefire that had largely held since 2022. Observers warn that the renewed conflict risks sparking a broader regional confrontation, with United States leadership suggesting potential American backing for Saudi military responses.
In the wake of the airport strike, security analysts note that Riyadh is expected to strike back forcefully, though the Houthis continue to demonstrate the capability to launch long-range ballistic missiles and drones despite ongoing coalition air campaigns across Yemen. Additional projectile activity was also reported near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
The campaign has expanded to include multiple regional facilities, with strikes and interception efforts reported near Jazan, Najran, Abha, and al-Kharj province. Meanwhile, ground clashes and airstrikes have intensified across several Yemeni governorates, including Taiz and Saada, as internationally recognized government forces mount counteroffensives against Houthi positions.